Beware of Geeks Bearing Gifts by Charlie Cochet

You should find someone equally or more fit than you.” Javier took a sip of his coffee and moaned. “Man, this shit is so good.”
    “So what you’re saying is I should approach finding men the way you approach finding women.”
    “Exactly. I mean, it’s the same shit really, aside from the dick part.”
    Quinn eyed him. “You know, for a straight guy, you talk about dick a lot. Like, a lot.”
    “Tell me one guy who doesn’t. And if he’s not talking about it, he’s thinking about it. Not in a gay way, obviously.”
    “Obviously.” Quinn rolled his eyes. “You’re an idiot.” He finished his coffee and put his cup in the sink.
    “Fuck you. I’m trying to help.”
    “By warning me away from a sweet, funny guy who gives a shit about me—not about what I can bench, how much money I have, or the car I drive, but me—despite knowing what a grumpy fuck I am? Despite having met my family and my asshole friend?” Quinn shook his head in disbelief. Was Javi really that shallow? Had he been that shallow? What did it say about him that Spencer had been living next door nearly a year and he’d barely noticed him?
    “Yeah, but don’t you get bored listening to him go on about all that comic book shit?”
    “Let’s talk about something else before I hurt you,” Quinn growled.
    “All I’m saying is that you can do better.”
    Quinn met Javier’s gaze, his expression hard. “Stay out of it. I’m warning you.” He headed into the living room to talk to someone who didn’t give him a headache. The more he thought about Javier’s words, the more he thought about Spencer and his gorgeous smile. He could still feel Spencer’s lips on him, his warm breath, and the feel of his hands. Quinn sat down, cursing himself for being an idiot. They could have been doing this a year ago. Regardless, Quinn had every intention of making up for lost time.

Chapter Eight
     
     
    “I DON’T know if I can do this.”
    Spencer helped Danny unload his groceries from the trunk of his car. He looked up at the two trucks similar to Quinn’s parked in the visitors’ spots. This was the third time Quinn’s friends had come for dinner after Quinn had raved about his cooking. After the first meal of Italian dishes, they’d been hooked. Spencer enjoyed cooking for the gang, and his ego didn’t mind it either. It had become a weekly thing, something they all did on Thursday evenings, since that was when the guys were off.
    Quinn’s friends were great. Well, most of them. They were surprisingly down to earth and friendly, like a band of brothers. Spencer had had a great time both weeks, though he was certain Javier’s absence hadn’t hurt any. Tonight Manny had texted Quinn ahead of time to let him know Javier would be coming along. Quinn had insisted they’d get some takeout, but Spencer refused. He wasn’t going to let the guy get to him. When he dropped off the food, he could see how unsettled Quinn was. Quinn confessed to feeling afraid Javier would say something to hurt Spencer, so for Quinn’s sake and ease of mind, Spencer decided to skip dinner. At least until they could talk about what they were going to do about Javier. The guy seemed to have it in for Spencer. Not in a malicious way, but he couldn’t seem to keep his comments to himself.
    “You should see it, Danny. It’s like the Expendables in there. The prequel.”
    “I thought it was going great.” Danny closed the trunk of the Honda before turning to him, his expression sympathetic.
    “It was. I mean it is. It’s going fantastic. We’ve been hanging out,” making out, but Spencer wasn’t about to mention that part, “getting to know each other. His mom even calls me up to talk to me. I have no idea who she’s talking about most of the time, and occasionally she breaks off into Spanish until she remembers I can’t understand what she’s saying, but I like talking to her. She wants to teach me. Quinn would totally lose his shit if he knew his mom